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Definition of ostracod

ostracod

/ˈɑːstrəˌkɑːd/
os · tra · cod
Plural:ostracods
•
Adjective:ostracodal
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ostracod Lexical Profile

ostracod Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A minute aquatic crustacean of the class Ostracoda, characterized by a calcified, bivalve carapace that entirely encloses its body, commonly found in both marine and freshwater environments and informally known as a seed shrimp.

Example

"The paleontologist carefully extracted fossilized ostracods from the sediment core to reconstruct the ancient climate of the lake."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for ostracod

• Nearby Words

ostomy
ostracism
ostracize
ostracod
ostrava
ostrich
ostrowskia

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the New Latin taxonomic class Ostracoda, which stems from the Greek 'ostrakon' (shell) and '-odes' (resembling), referring to the creature's prominent bivalve carapace.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Ostracod. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/ostracod
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